The hyena is one of the most controversial animals in the wild, combining strength, intelligence, and ferocity all at once. It is characterized by its powerful body and incredible speed, making it one of the fiercest predators that dominate the ecosystem.
It’s worth noting that the hyena hides aspects of its beauty and important role in nature, deserving a deeper understanding and further exploration of this powerful creature.
In this article from teketrek, we will provide you with plenty of important information about the hyena’s habitat, reproduction, diet, and other facts you may be curious about. Stay tuned.
About the hyena
The hyena is a vertebrate mammal belonging to the Canidae family, inhabiting various regions around the world such as Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. It is considered a nocturnal animal capable of adapting to different conditions. Hyenas vary in size, ranging from small to relatively large.
There are numerous species of hyenas around the world, found in various wild regions from deserts to rainforests. Each species is characterized by its unique traits and different lifestyles, making the study of these animals an intriguing challenge.
The species of hyenas
- The Brown Hyena (Hyaena brunnea) mates during the African dry season (May-August), and the gestation period for females lasts up to 97 days.
- The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) mates throughout the year and reproduces every one and a half years, with an average gestation period for females of 110 days.
- The Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) gives birth to 1-6 cubs throughout her life, and the gestation period lasts for three months.
- The Aardwolf (Proteles cristata) mates with one female throughout its life. Mating occurs throughout the year, and the gestation period lasts for 90 to 100 days.
6 tricks the hyena uses to lure its prey
The hyena is considered one of the most intelligent and cunning animals in nature, using several tricks to lure its prey. Here are some tricks that the hyena may use:
1. Camouflage: The hyena hides in dark places, among trees, or rocks, waiting for its prey to come without noticing it.
2. Swift Chase: The hyena utilizes its speed and agility to swiftly chase its prey, making it difficult for the prey to escape.
3. Stealth: Sometimes, the hyena approaches its prey slowly and cautiously without being noticed. When at an appropriate distance, it quickly leaps to catch the prey and attacks it suddenly.
4. Deception: The hyena may emit sounds resembling its prey to lure unsuspecting animals, waiting for the prey to investigate before attacking.
5. Cunning: Occasionally, the hyena uses clever tricks to lure its prey, such as pretending to be a food source to attract the prey.
6. Trap Setting: Sometimes, the hyena sets traps to lure its prey, such as pretending to be injured or weak.
In summary, the hyena relies on a variety of strategies and tactics to effectively and efficiently lure and hunt its prey.
5 characteristics that make the hyena an impressive creature
The hyena is an animal belonging to the family Hyaenidae, characterized by several features that make it unique and interesting. The most important of them:
1. Size:
The hyena is a large animal, weighing around 30 kilograms and measuring about 1.5 meters in length.
2. Color and Pattern:
The hyena’s distinguishing features include its thick fur, which comes in various colors such as brown, gray, and white. It also boasts a unique decorative pattern that varies according to the species.
3. Long Ears:
The hyena has long, rounded ears that help it hear sounds well and identify their source.
4. Nocturnal Vision:
The hyena has excellent night vision, enabling it to hunt its prey in darkness effectively.
5. Speed and Strength:
The hyena is a fast and powerful animal, capable of running at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour and leaping long distances.
These features make the hyena a unique and fascinating animal in the wild animal kingdom.
Where Do Hyenas Live? Natural Habitats of Hyenas Worldwide
Hyenas live in various regions of Asia and Africa, and each species prefers different types of habitats. For example, the striped hyena prefers dry areas such as savannas, wet grasslands, forests, and mountainous shrublands. The brown hyena prefers living in the plains of Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, and the Kalahari Desert, focusing on desert and semi-desert regions. The striped hyena lives in North Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Morocco, the Arabian Peninsula, India, and the Caucasus, spreading across forests, dry, and semi-dry areas.
How Do Hyenas Raise Their Young? Hyena Life Cycle from Birth
Hyenas mate in different sectors, and female hyenas give birth to 2 to 4 cubs after a 3-month pregnancy. The cubs’ eyes remain closed for 5 to 9 days. The care of the cubs is the responsibility of the mother alone. The cubs rely heavily on their mother’s milk for nourishment until they reach the sixth month. Hyena cubs leave the den after their second week of life. The cubs remain dependent on their mother for up to a year or more and reach maturity by their second year.
Strange Facts About Hyenas That May Surprise You!
There are many surprising facts about hyenas, including:
- Hyenas actually resemble cats more than dogs, contrary to popular belief.
- Hyenas only live in groups called clans, with a clan containing up to 80 hyenas.
- Hyenas feed on dead animals, benefiting from the remains of other animals’ prey, and also hunt wild animals such as birds, lizards, snakes, gazelles, and foxes.
- Unlike other predators, hyenas enjoy eating their meals while the animals are still alive.
- Some hyena species, such as the spotted hyena, are capable of running at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
- A particular species of hyena makes a sound that resembles human laughter, such as the spotted hyena.
- Female hyenas lead the clans, not the males.
Hyenas have an excellent sense of smell that helps them detect prey from a distance.
What are the benefits of hyenas? What does it offer to the environment?
By understanding the benefits of hyenas, we can comprehend the importance of protecting them and conserving the balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.
1. Regulating Animal Numbers: Hyenas play a crucial role in regulating animal populations in the wild by controlling the food chain and managing prey numbers.
2. Disease Control: Hyenas contribute to preventing the spread of diseases among wild animals by reducing the number of infected prey.
3. Plant Growth Regulation: Hyenas help regulate the growth of grasses and plants by influencing the populations of animals that feed on these plants.
4. Biodiversity Conservation: Hyenas are essential for preserving biodiversity in wild areas, as they contribute to maintaining balance among living organisms.
5. Cultural Heritage: Hyenas are part of the natural and cultural heritage of many societies that value this animal and promote its protection.
6. Predator Population Regulation: Hyenas help regulate the numbers of other predator animals and prevent their increase to unsustainable levels.
7. Ecological Contribution: Hyenas are part of the natural food chain, playing a significant role in converting organic matter into energy.
8. Seed Dispersal: Hyenas contribute to the distribution of plant seeds by consuming animals that eat these plants and transport their seeds.
9. Ecosystem Balance: Hyenas form part of the environmental and ecological balance in the areas they inhabit, and protecting them contributes to the stability of these ecosystems.
How Do Hyenas Sleep? Sleeping and Resting Habits of Hyenas
Hyenas are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night when hunting. They have various resting habits and sleep in dens that they dig themselves, or rest in tall grasses or between rocks.
How Do Hyenas Communicate? Body Language and Sounds
Hyenas communicate with each other using different languages that are difficult for humans to understand. They produce various vocalizations for different purposes, such as sounds related to mating or hunting. The intensity of these sounds varies, and they also make laughing sounds to express their emotional state, which can instill fear and panic in their prey. They also make coarse sounds that resemble snoring and use loud cries to express discomfort. Hyenas communicate with their species through body movements such as ear twitching, raising their paws, and other gestures.
The Role of Hyenas in Ancient Cultures and Mythologies
Many myths and imaginations about hyenas have spread through folklore, such as the belief that hyenas are unintelligent creatures. However, in reality, they are highly intelligent and capable of solving many problems. Their intelligence is particularly evident in their hunting methods and their fearlessness when facing lions. They have been viewed as frightening, harmful creatures that threaten the environment and humans. But the truth is, hyenas play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance by eliminating carrion and dead prey, thus reducing the risk of diseases and threats to the ecosystem.
It has also been said that hyenas have a foul odor and dig up graves to consume corpses. However, studies have shown that their scent is not unpleasant and is used to mark their locations.
Hyenas and Humans: Do They Pose a Danger to Humans?
Hyenas are predatory animals, but they are generally shy and avoid humans. However, since they are nocturnal creatures, some species, like the spotted and striped hyenas, may exhibit bold behavior toward humans, especially at night. They might hunt and attack humans in rare instances.
Comparing Hyenas with Other Predators
Hyenas differ from other predators in that they do not hunt prey to kill it first, unlike most predators. Instead, they often torment their prey while it is still alive. They are also scavengers, feeding on carrion and the remains of other predators’ kills, unlike other predators that hunt and kill their own prey.
Hyenas and Extinction
Hyenas face many threats from humans, including poaching and overhunting. They have been associated with myths and folklore as terrifying creatures that disturb graves and threaten people’s souls. Some people hunt hyenas to use parts of their bodies for magical purposes, while others exploit their tough hides for smuggling drugs, as it is difficult to detect what is hidden under their skin. Consequently, hyenas are hunted by humans, putting their survival at risk and making them vulnerable to extinction.
frequently asked questions about the hyena
1- What distinguishes hyenas?
Hyenas possess immense jaw strength, allowing them to hunt and crush bones. They are also recognized for their high intelligence, strength, speed, adaptability, excellent camouflage, unique vocalizations, proficient hunting skills, and complex social life.
2- Does a hyena’s gender change over the years?
Many rumors are suggesting that hyenas may be females in one year and males in another. However, this is not true as scientists have confirmed that hyenas are mammals with fixed genders.
3- Do hyenas dig graves?
Yes, hyenas are fond of digging graves due to their appetite for human flesh.
4- What do hyenas eat?
Hyenas feed on a variety of small and medium-sized animals, including rodents like rats, rabbits, and squirrels, in addition to small birds, reptiles, and insects. They may also hunt other animals such as wild rabbits and wild boars if available in their habitat.
5- What is the hyena’s cry called, and how fast can it run?
The hyena produces a cry known as “howling,” a distinctive sound that can be heard for miles in the wilderness. It uses this sound for communication with other pack members, marking territorial boundaries, or signaling the presence of prey. As for the hyena’s speed. hyenas can run at speeds ranging from 40 to 50 kilometers per hour, but they can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour in some cases when they need to flee or chase.
6- How do hyenas mate?
During the mating season, hyenas interact with each other to find a mate. The mating process requires practice and experience for the male hyena to mount behind the female and assume a suitable position for mating. Afterward, the female undergoes a gestation period lasting about 2-3 months before giving birth to her cubs.
7- How much does a hyena weigh?
Hyenas can weigh up to 50 kilograms, smaller than the African spotted hyena, which weighs 90 kilograms.
8- What is the average lifespan of a hyena ?
hyenas can live for 10 to 15 years in the wild.
In conclusion
hyenas are essential animals in the ecosystem, playing a vital role in regulating wildlife and maintaining environmental balance. Therefore, we must all recognize the importance of protecting this magnificent animal and work to preserve its presence in the wild to ensure the continuity of environmental balance and preserve the beauty of nature.
